Impact the World

Tara continues her recap of summer ministry trips by sitting down with Amy Larson and Linda Reedy to share their August trip to Egypt, where they served at a girls’ camp and a minority school. After years of serving God in their own unique ways, both women reflect on how He brought their stories full circle through this experience. They also share how national partners in Egypt are working togethe...

Tara continues recapping the ministry happening this summer through the people of our church. In this episode, she sits down with Bethany Bond to hear about her experience serving in Greece alongside our partner, Stephanie. Bethany shares stories from her time in Greece, along with the unexpected circumstances she encountered and the lessons God taught her through serving in them.

So much happens around West Park—even during the summer! In this episode, Tara sits down with Kelsey McKinney to recap the many ways she served through Parent’s Day Out and CedarBrook. Kelsey shares valuable insight into what it looks like to serve faithfully, even through difficult seasons, and how God can use our willingness to serve others in every circumstance.

In this conversation, Tara hands the mic over to Pastor Jake as he sits down with Pastor James and Don Lewis to discuss the process and purpose of shepherding at West Park. Together, they explore how shepherding helps care for the spiritual health of our church family, fosters meaningful relationships, and provides encouragement, accountability, and biblical support as we grow together in Christ.

In this conversation, Tara sits down with Pastor James to discuss the vital connection between reading Scripture and prayer. As part of our summer Equipping Class, Devoted: What it Means to Be the Church, on what it means to be a church member, they explore how God's Word and prayer work together to help believers grow in their relationship with Christ and faithfully live out their faith withi...

Tara sat down with several leaders from the Re|engage marriage ministry to discuss this impactful 16-week Equipping Class designed to help couples grow closer to God and one another. In this conversation, they share what a typical class is like, the topics covered, when and where the group meets, and how to get involved. Whether your marriage is facing challenges or you're simply looking to st...

This summer, West Park is offering one Equipping Class during both worship hours: Devoted: What It Means to Be the Church. In this episode, Tara sits down with Don Lewis, who is leading the first two weeks of the class focused on church membership. Together, they discuss what makes a church truly a church, why church membership matters, and how belonging to a local body of believers is an essentia...

Pastor Sam and Sue recently traveled to Egypt to spend time with several of our Global Partners, gaining a firsthand look at the opportunities and challenges of gospel ministry in a very different cultural context. In this episode, they share stories from their trip, provide insight into what daily life is like for our national partners, and discuss the unique realities of living and serving Chris...

This week, West Park began a new sermon series through The Book of Acts. In this episode, Tara and Matthew discuss why the preaching team chose to walk through Acts, how much of the book will be covered, the historical context, and some of the major themes we’ll see throughout the series. As we study Acts together, our prayer is that we would not simply gain more knowledge, but that we would be ch...

As a church, we have just finished studying the model of The Lord’s Prayer. This episode of  Impact the World  is designed to help guide you into a deeper, more intentional time of prayer with your heavenly Father.  Over the next 60 minutes, Tara will lead you through 10 different topics and forms of prayer, creating space for reflection, worship, confession, thanksgiving, and intercession. Whethe...

Tara sits down with Lisa to unpack her recent trip to Cuba—sharing powerful stories of what God is doing in the lives of the Cuban people and how the experience transformed her own faith. Tune in to hear firsthand moments from the journey and discover how you can come alongside Cuban churches as they lead Vacation Bible School in their communities.  Resources Contact Lisa Newsome

On January 4, 2026, West Park launches an 11-week journey through Ecclesiastes. Tara and Matthew explore how this ancient, often surprising book speaks powerfully into our modern world—offering wisdom, honesty, and hope for life today.  RESOURCES  Everything Is Never Enough: Ecclesiastes' Surprising Path to Resilient Happiness  by Bobby Jamieson 

Tara sits down with West Park partner Lisa Newsome for an inspiring look inside the ministries of CedarBrook—from what a typical week holds to incredible stories of how God is at work in our community. If CedarBrook is new to you, this conversation is the perfect introduction!  RESOURCES  Contact Lisa Newsome   cedarbrookourtreach.org  

Don’t miss this episode of the podcast as Tara Hayes sits down with Pastor James Lynch to talk about his Sunday morning class, Going Deeper. Pastor James shares what sets this class apart—its intentional focus on spiritual growth, conversation, and practical application of Scripture. If you have never had the opportunity to visit Going Deeper, this episode offers a glimpse into the heart behind th...

Tara and Matthew break down what Community Groups at West Park are all about — why they matter, what they actually look like, and how they’re different from a typical Bible study.    RESOURCES  Contact Matthew Goldstine   More information about Community Groups   I would like to join a group!  

Tara sits down for a meaningful conversation with one of West Park’s own young adults, Rebecca Robinson, fresh off her return from a second summer in Japan. They dive into what ministry looked like overseas, how West Park helped make it possible, and what exciting steps lie ahead in Rebecca’s journey. Spoiler alert, she’s a published author!  RESOURCES  Penelope Panda's Peculiar Family by Rebe...

Have you ever wondered why our pastors chose to focus on the parables—or maybe you’re not even sure what a parable is? Tara sits down with Matthew Goldstine to explore what parables are and why they matter to our church community.

Tara and Matthew dive into a thoughtful conversation about the current state of Young Adult Ministry, exploring how the ministry is evolving, growing, and how they intentionally structure their time to foster meaningful community and spiritual development. RESOURCES  Contact Matthew Goldstine   More about the Young Adults Ministry  

The Impact the World Podcast is back after a long-awaited break! In this episode, Tara sits down with Matthew Goldstine to explore the world of college ministry—how he found his calling in it and what this exciting ministry looks like at West Park.  RESOURCES  Contact Matthew Goldstine   More about the College Ministry  

Tara takes the opportunity to join Pastor James Lynch and Roger and Kathy McIntyre for a heartfelt discussion about Kathy’s journey through cancer. They explore her hopeful outlook and emphasize the vital role of their church family in providing support and connection during this challenging time.

Throughout July, Family Ministries has been a prominent topic of discussion. Tara engages in a conversation with Chris and Audra, exploring the structure, objectives, and diverse approaches to family ministry. They also delve into the details of Crew45, a newly established class tailored for 4th and 5th graders.

Every summer during the Equipping Classes, we host "Christians You Should Know." Tara engages in a conversation with Matthew Goldstine to explore Perpetua, delving into her identity and significance in the history of our faith.

Every summer during our Equipping Classes, we feature "Christians You Should Know." This year, Tara and Pastor Sam delve into the life and legacy of Irenaeus, often hailed as "The Father of Theology." They explore his profound contributions to theological thought and its impact on our understanding today. They also reflect on the significance of learning from the lives of Chris...

Starting August 4, 2024, West Park will implement new service times! In today's episode, Tara discusses these changes with Pastor Sam and Jake Bishop, exploring their implications across various ministries. They also highlight the introduction of new Equipping Classes aimed at fostering deeper spiritual growth and congregation engagement.

As West Park begins walking through The Book of James for the summer, Pastor Joe and Tara highlight historical information about the authorship and structure of this timeless book. While exploring its practical implications in the lives of believers, they also spend time highlighting some of their favorite passages, offering insights and wisdom. Pastor Joe shares ideas and study tools to deepen ou...